Bell back in big leagues

GLENDALE — Things have quickly changed once more for Trevor Bell, changed from one day to the next and one season to the next.

On Sunday, the Crescenta Valley High graduate received a call from Manager Bobby Mitchell of the Salt Lake Bees, the triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, telling him he would be making a return to the big leagues.

And on Monday afternoon, Bell was in Anaheim in the Angels dugout waiting to take batting practice at the major league level for the first time and preparing for the first of a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays — the very same team he made his Major League Baseball debut against last season.

"I think this is different than last year," said the 23-year-old Bell. "Now I'm fighting for a job."

Bell made his debut late last season as a starter and eventually came out of the bullpen. This time around, Bell's return to Major League Baseball will see him pitching out of the bullpen.

"I think [the organization has] kind of worked me into that role," said Bell, who also worked out of the pen a bit two seasons ago with single-A Rancho Cucamonga. "I'm comfortable either way, I'm just here to do anything to help the club."

Bell will look to aid a pitching staff that has been borderline woeful thus far, entering Monday with a 5.09 earned-run average, which is the second-highest in the American League.

The Angels began Monday in third place in the AL West Division at 14-19, 8 1/2 games behind first-place Texas.

Having begun the season on the disabled list, Bell, a former News-Press Athlete of the Year, quickly established himself as the ace of the Salt Lake staff. He made three starts, going 1-0 with a 2.04 earned-run average in 17 2/3 innings, striking out nine batters and walking three.

"He's got a great arm and has been pitching well down there," Angels Manager Mike Scioscia told mlb.com. "Hopefully he'll carry it over."

His last start was Friday at Fresno. Bell tossed just five innings, allowing one run and five hits, but was pulled after the fifth having thrown less than 70 pitches.

"I came out in the fifth, they said that's it," Bell said. "So I kinda had an idea that something was up."

And two days later, Bell received a call that he was back up with the Angels.

It's one of a handful of moves made in recent days by the Angels.

On Friday, pitcher Fernando Rodriguez was designated for assignment and reliever Matt Palmer was optioned to the Bees, with outfielder Michael Ryan's contract purchased by the Angels from the Bees.

For a variety of reasons, Bell believes this time up is different.

He believes his game has matured and improved.

"Last year, I was just a kid coming in," said Bell, adding that the experience last year in the majors and this year's start in triple-A both helped him immensely.

Another aspect Bell is eagerly awaiting is a possible first chance inside an MLB batter's box.

As a four-year starter at Crescenta Valley, Bell was not just a standout pitcher, but also a center fielder who batted in the heart of the Falcons order.

And leading up to the 2005 Major League Baseball First-Year Players Draft, it was unknown if he would be selected as a pitcher or a hitter. The former obviously took place when the Angels chose him with their first pick, but Bell has never lost the hitting bug.

With an interleague road series against the St. Louis Cardinals from May 21-23, Bell's grinning at the prospects of getting that shot.

No matter if it's the batter's box or the mound, as a starter or reliever, though, Bell is simply, "glad to be back and helping."